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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
alternatives to meds
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
alternatives to meds
by sophie dog, Oct 28, 2002 12:00AM
I have had low grade depression for the past 10 years and in the past 2 years ( coinciding witha new job)had 2 distinct anxiety attacks. I have recently been divorced, found a new lover ( after a year) who lives half way around the world. I really do not like my job and would like to move to where my new lover lives. First off I have tried 2 meds Effexor and Zoloft. The sides ( more depressed, jittery, zombie, sleeplessness)made me a wreck and I stopped them after 2 and 6 days respectfully. I want to stay away from the meds because I don't want to get into a cycle of meds for the depression, meds to sleep, med for sex and medto eat all because of the zoloft. What do you think about the 5-htp and combos of vitamins and efa. I always have strong reactions and always get sides to most medications. Secondly I really am not sure if leaving the work is a response to panic or that I really want to leave because the job is way to stressful. I feel like I am in a spiral of stress because there are so many transitions...
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 29, 2002 12:00AM
, Oct 29, 2002 12:00AM
When you switch from medications to alternative ways of effecting the serotonin- dopamine receptors in the brain you are still using medications. You will need as much to have an effect and there is no way of knowing for sure how much of the active ingredients there are in this non- pharmaceutical grade medications.
I believe the very best thing for you to do is to be in a counseling situation where you can sort this all out. You can start online immediately at www. masteringstress.com and then decide about when or how to find a face to face therapist.
I believe the very best thing for you to do is to be in a counseling situation where you can sort this all out. You can start online immediately at www. masteringstress.com and then decide about when or how to find a face to face therapist.
I don't know if you eat meat, but that is also a factor that causes stress and anxiety.
Oh yeah, a vitamin B (2,3,5,6,12) diet is good for the nervous system to get regenerated, as well as very dark, non-dairy, chocolate (over 70%)once in a while is good.
Good luck.